The body of a RAF fighter pilot who crammed more heroics into eight days than World War II flyers has been discovered after more than 70 years.

Derek’s official RAF photograph (Picture: BNPS)

Flying Officer Derek Allen won âaceâ status, a gallantry medal and was shot down twice over northern France.

The 22-year-old was credited with four outright and three shared kills.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bringing down a German bomber in May 1940, when his Hurricane plane was also hit.

Fg Off Allen spent 24 hours walking through enemy territory to get back to his squadron.

Exhausted, he went into battle again two days later but his plane was hit and crashed in farmland, killing him.

He became one of 40,000 airmen listed as âmissing in action, presumed deadâ until historian Andy Saunders began to research the case. The 57-year-old, from Hastings, East Sussex, followed a witness account to Fg Off Allenâs crash site near Cambrai.

His research prompted the RAF Air Historical Branch to reopen its files and confirm an unmarked grave 5km (3 miles) from the crash site contained Fg Off Allen.

âHad he survived, going at the pace he did, Derek Allen would have become one of the leading fighter aces of World War II,â said Mr Saunders.

The flyerâs younger brother, Richard, 81, from Great Sheffard, Berkshire, plans to lead family members to a dedication service at the grave.

âIt means an awful lot that the family have, at last, a grave to visit so we can pay our respects,â he said.